France Flashcards
Three reasons for the French Revolution from Suzanne Desan’s course:
(1) Debt
(2) Enlightenment
(3) Commerce
A big cause of debt was the American War of Independence. The commerce was with Asia, Africa and America and created a new merchant class
France: post-Napoleonic Era to WW1
1815 - 1830: Bourbon Restoration
1830: July Revolution
1830 - 1848: July Monarchy
1848: Revolution
1848 - 1852: Napoleon III is President
1852 - 1870: Napoleon III is Emperor
1870: Franco-Prussian War; Paris Commune
1870 - 1940: Third Republic
Forms of government in the French Revolution:
- National Assembly (2.25 years - Jul 1789 - Sep 1791)
- Legislative Assembly (1 year - Sep 1791 - Sep 1792)
- National Convention (3 years - Oct 1792 - Oct 1795)
- Directory (4 years - Nov 1795 - Nov 1799)
- Consulate (5 years - 1799 - 1804)
- Empire (9 years - 1804 - 1815)
French Rev: What was the National Assembly?
The period from when the Revolution started, while they were still writing a constitution, up until they adopted the Constitution of 1791
French Rev: Who was effectively the leader of the National Assembly?
Mirabeau
French Rev: What were some of the key events in the National Assembly period?
- Abolition of feudalism (Aug 1789)
- Women’s March on Versailles (Oct 1789)
- Civil Constitution of the Clergy (Jul 1790)
- King’s Flight (Jun 1791)
French Rev: What was the Legislative Assembly?
The one-year period of constitutional monarchy under the Constitution of 1791, up until they decide to get rid of the King and get a new constitution
French Rev: When was the first Constitution adopted?
September 1791
French Rev: During which period (in terms of the form of government) did war break out?
Legislative Assembly
What were the key events in the Legislative Assembly period?
- The start of war
- Storming of the Tuileries (Jun-Aug 1792)
- Vote to get rid of the King (Sep 1792)
French Rev: What was the National Convention?
The period after the decision was taken to remove the King, making the first Constitution redundant. The National Convention was convened in 1792 to draw up a new Constitution without a monarchy.
French Rev: What happened during the National Convention?
- First year: Tensions bubble between Girondins and Jacobites (Sep 1792 - Sep 1793)
- Second year: The Terror (Sep 1793 - summer 1794)
- Third year: Convention regains a bit of initiative after the execution of Robespierre, until Brumaire (summer 1794 - Oct 1795)
French Rev: When was Louis XVI executed?
Jan 1793
French Rev: What were major issues with the Constitution of 1791 and the political order it created?
- The distinction between active and passive citizens
- The self-denying ordinance, meaning all delegates in the National Assembly resigned
French Rev: When did War begin?
April 1792
This was during the Legislative Assembly
What happened on 5 September 1793?
Another popular uprising at the Convention by the sans culottes, demanding strong measures, which led to steps like:
- Terror being declared the order of the day
- The Maximums
- The Law of Suspects
But it wasn’t another step towards the radicalisation of the Revolution; rather, it became the start of the centralisation of power under the CPS
What was the Law of 14 Frimaire?
A law on 4th December 1793 which formalised the centralised control of the Committee of Public Safety
When was Marat assassinated?
13 July 1793
What happened on 31 May - 2 June 1793?
The third great insurrection, which led to the expulsion of the Girondins from the Convention, leaving the Montagnards in charge
What happened in Spring 1793 in terms of the rivalries within the Convention?
The Girondins fought those further left
April: The Girondins try putting Marat on trial, but he is acquitted
May: Arrest of Hebert and others from Paris Commune
This leads to the Insurrection of 31 May - 2 June
The Girondins were mostly not from Paris, and felt that the Paris Commune threatening them was unacceptable
